Our travelling furniture has often been bought miles and too many memories away. The constant pieces are now brought together in harmony to bring various experiences to one place.
Many of us have been on the move and not all of us have a big budget, able only to take clothes. We are fortunate to have been relocated by companies in all relocations but one. That was a great learning lesson. I was going to be in France for eight months before we moved more permanently to another country before my husband finalised his move to Berlin where I would join him. I ended up in a shabby and not so chic, small apartment – the week before the above apartment bathroom had overflowed. My lovely landlord halved the rent and I chose to stay as I instantly made friends with my neighbours. It wasn’t easy as I love beautiful surroundings and I needed to make this sad space in to something I could live and work in for a short time.
What to take if you can only take an extra suitcase? What if you can post a few boxes ahead? What if you knew you were only staying a short time? I needed a moving kit and what I found was I needed items that kept me grounded and gave an instant sense of home, however temporary. Yes, you can buy items when you get there but they are the new you, not the constant one.
With many students going away to study or if able, on a year of discovery, or for those working in new places for a variety of reasons, it is hard enough to wade through paperwork, social networks and all the other confronting and interesting processes and experiences. A young teacher who had never been away from her family, was feeling disoriented. I gave her my French Traveling Kit which included battery powered fairy lights, a bowl to put them in, lovely Zara Home bed linen, a faux fur throw, cute champagne glasses and other items. Here are my needs and would be interested to see what others would take.
My Miniature Traveling Toolkit
- Fairy lights, battery operated – these come in so many forms to suit different styles, I have hung them over a mirror, put them in a bowl and around a vase of flowers. They give a soft glow to any room.
- Bed linen – I am a fan of Zara Home or Bed, Bath and Beyond. I put in a favourite set in soft, restful colours.
- Throws – I included a favourite faux cream blanket that I still have.
- Prints that you love – pack them flat and they are easy to frame when you arrive.
- Ornaments – I have a set of miniature boxes and a favourite teacup.
Travelling Furniture
Over the last 15 years we have moved countries and cities. We have been fortunate to have had relocation allowances but they have varied. Setting up each time can cost a small fortune and with that in mind we created our Travelling Furniture list.
Chinese money chest – this is one of the only pieces that has stayed constant. It is a Chinese money chest that was bought with a bonus cheque 20 years ago in another place, at another time. It has housed glassware, plates, linen and is worn, scratched and loved.
Two French antique chairs – we bought both chairs cheaply and spent more getting them recovered!
An American bed – they are the best! We stayed in a Holiday Inn and the next morning asked what make the bed was – Simmons. We were about to buy a new bed and went out and bought one. Sometimes getting the right-size bed linen is a challenge but it is still a comforting place to be and at times we have just crawled in during times of challenge!
An antique French farm table – this was extravagant and it is a lovely honey-coloured fruitwood with turned legs. I work on it and love the slightly warped wood that has been loved prior to us – we have added six French cafe chairs.
Art work – we have far too much but have given virtually none away. Often reframed or the surrounds are painted again, they are a constant reminder of travels, the past and who we are and what we have become.
Ornaments – There are collections I have put away and then brought out in a different place. My 1950s Chinese tumblers and my Opium Smoker are an example. They now live in France.
